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Woodhorn Colliery: Mine Safety
Until the Hartley Colliery disaster in 1862, when 204 men and boys died after becoming trapped, there had been no
requirement for mines to have two shafts. It took such a terrible loss of life for legislation to be passed forcing
coal companies to build a second shaft at each colliery.
The provision of two shafts meant that there was an alternative means of escape and that ventilation was improved.
At Woodhorn, No.1 shaft was the downcast one, through which clean air entered the mine, and No.2 shaft was the upcast
one, through which foul air was drawn up and expelled from the mine. Fans assisted this process, such as the Walker
fan in the East Fan House at Woodhorn.
The workings of some mines produced a lot of gas, known as firedamp. Without adequate ventilation gas can build up
and if exposed to a naked flame can cause a violent explosion. A gas explosion was the cause of
the Woodhorn Disaster in 1916. Today, coalmines use more sophisticated equipment
to detect gas and lighting is electric.
Learn more about safety lamps, the East Fan House and the
Woodhorn Disaster, look at a respirator and
safety badge, or return to the colliery.
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